Disclaimer: All Twilight characters belong to Stephanie Meyers, while I'm just teasing and bending them for a bit. No profit is being collected from the fiction contained within.

The storyline and non-Twilight characters are my creative fault and mine alone.

This storyline has women loving women. If this kind of love scares you, well darling turn around and go back the other way. There are plenty of splendid writers who delve into straight couple relationships; for the most part, I'm just not one of them.

The rating is M just to be on the safe side, do to the language and the possibility of the sex scenes becoming a bit graphic but no promises in that area. Oh, there will also be mention of threesomes and 'gasp horror' vampires and other supernatural creatures getting it on with each other.

All boo boos, snafus and misdeeds within the story are all mine and mine alone.

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(Sunday Morning-In Conrad's car)

It was a spur of the moment decision on Bella's part to accompany Jake and Sue as he drove the older woman back to the reservation. Her golden eyes were studying the back of Sue's head as the older woman stared out the front windshield of the car. Like many of the others in the house, she had been disturbed by Sue's attitude towards Leah but not completely surprised. Living with Jake for two those two years she had learned a lot about his friends and family through the hours of sharing together. She had knowledge most of the others didn't have about the mother, daughter relationship. It was this awareness of the two women was what had prompted her to hop into the car so she could talk with Sue.

The old Bella would have chosen not to say anything even though she would have wanted to but that part of her died when she awoke as a vampire. As she studied the back of Sue's head she wished Alice was with her holding her hand. Not that she needed the support to speak to Sue, no Bella just found her pixie's presence soothing. Yet, they both could tell Sue was on a fragile frayed string and that it would be better for the older woman to have it just be Jake and Bella.

Biting her lip as she composed her thoughts, Bella wasn't really sure if what she was about to share was relevant to the situation but she decided to share it anyway. Taking in an unneeded breath, Bella let it out slowly and silently, she was going to be revealing parts of herself that only Jake and Alice knew.

"After my three days of searing pain from the venom that was coursing through my veins, transforming me into a vampire, it wouldn't be surprising that when I awoke I was pissed." Bella started without any preamble to her subject matter, "yet, my anger wasn't from the pain or even being a vampire. It was because for all intent purposes I was alive and I fucking didn't want to be."

Bella could feel Jake watching her through the rearview mirror as she spoke to the older woman. It wasn't an easy subject for either of them, because she had wounded him with her scathing attack after her emergence.

Not providing Sue a chance to interrupt Bella continued in her revelation, "you see I was so devastated, so lost, I felt like I had been sucked into a black hole of despair when Edward left me that I wanted to die. I just didn't have it in me to do it myself, but then Victoria arrived and I knew my death was near. Even through my fear I was happy because she was going to give me what I couldn't, my death. No more heartache, no more dealing with betrayal, no more dealing with things I had no control over."

This is not what the older woman wanted to hear. As Bella was speaking, Sue could feel the stirring of guilt, anger, grief it wasn't what she wanted. She preferred to ignore the raw emotions bubbling inside of her. Swallow them away as she always did but she couldn't stop from asking. "What about your father, your mother?"

"I wasn't thinking about them at the moment. My life had been turned upside down the moment Edward and his family left me. Everything I thought I knew, I believed in wasn't anymore." She answered softly and small hitch in her voice revealed the ache from them departure still hadn't healed completely. "So when I found out I wasn't dead I lashed out with all the furor a newborn vampire has to give and attacked the one person who loved me, Jake."

Jake winced slightly at the memory of his beautiful Bella, the young woman he had fallen in love with tear at him not with hands but with words that shredded his heart.

"Isn't it sad, no quite pathetic actually, that what they say is true when your hurt, you attack the ones who love you. I mean how cliché of us to fall into that truth." Shaking her head, Bella let a mirthless chuckle, "you'd think we'd go after what caused the pain but we don't."

If at all possible, the muscles in Sue's body constricted further as Bella's softly spoken thoughts seemed to plow into her. She wanted to tell the young woman to stop. To stop Bella from stripping away the carefully laid layers she had weaved around herself since her husband's death.

Laying her left hand on Jake's shoulder she tenderly rubbed her thumb up and down, "do you know how much strength, willpower it took for Jake not to lose his temper and go all wolf on me?"

Swallowing hard, Sue shook her head no. She knew that those who were changed had shorter fuses well except for Quil and Seth who seemed as even temper as they had always been.

"Simply put a lot a young wolf is a like a newborn vampire, your passions are at the forefront of your being. It's like being cast back in time when humans were more primal, more animalistic, well Jake was able to hold all those passions at bay because of his love for me."

Without asking, Jake pulled the Mercedes onto the side of the road and put it in park. Turning he faced the woman he had known all his life and in some ways felt like she was a second mother to him. Harry Clearwater had always said watching the two women in his life fight was like watching a python and a mongoose go at each other. The two were more alike then either wanted to admit and they always seemed to take their anger out on each other. It had gotten worse after Sam had broken Leah's heart. Through the years, he had observed the oil and water interaction between Sue and Leah, but during the whole time, he never doubted there was love between the two.

Receiving an encouraging smile from Bella, Jake nodded slightly, "Sue, do you hate Leah?"

The question brought a gasp from the older woman and she whipped her head around to stare at the young man, "of course not! I love my daughter."

It was an unfair question as far as Sue was concerned. She loved both her children; though admittedly her relationship with Leah had been a struggle from the moment, her daughter learned the word 'no' as a toddler.

"It's not the image you just gave a few minutes ago," Bella said softly. "You acted callous and indifferent towards her. I'm sorry but certainly didn't seem very loving to me or to the others present. Your attitude upset Esme to the point she had to leave your presence and she is the gentlest woman I know. I'm pretty certain she grieves every time she has to kill and feed on an animal."

"I…I don't want to talk about this. Jake take me home, now." It was a plea not a demand. There was no strength behind her voice.

Ignoring the woman request Jake continued on, "I know you love Leah, but somewhere the two of you have built a wall of anger around each other." Chuckling softly, "Leah freely admits she can be a harridan from hell, a scathing bitch, but you know sometimes I can't blame her and Sue you can be the same way at times, just not as vocal."

The older woman flinched at his words as she had at Seth's quiet rebuke earlier. It was true but it was a side she didn't want others outside the family to see. Like so many people Sue had emotional masks she displayed in public, rarely revealing the uglier side to her nature.

"You two have grown further a part since Harry's death, Leah wallows in guilt over it and let me tell you something Paul continues to throw Harry's death in her face every chance he gets." He remarked with a small shake of his head.

Sue let out a small gasp of dismay. She hadn't thought the boys would be so cruel to Leah and use Harry's death as sword to cut at her. They had all suffered through the pain of transformation, Sue was sure they would offer her daughter support, not abuse her. Wolves were supposed to care and support for each other it's what a pack did. The legends spoke of the wolves as the protectors, the ones of strength who always watched over not only the people but also the pack. The ideals, the legends, everything Sue had clung to keep herself from drowning in the confusion from the changes happening around her had in fact been dragging her under and away from those, she loved.

Without thought, she began rubbing her temples on the side of her head trying to stem off the building of a headache. She could feel the comfort zone she had construct beginning to implode inside of her.

A small frown graced Jake's lips, the next part that he was going to say to her was hard for him, because even though he had been cast out of the pack it was still ingrained in his mind not to reveal such information. It was like fighting something hardwired into his brain even if he didn't agree with it personally. Glancing at Bella whose golden eyes were surrounded with warmth towards him, he harvested his resolve.

"Sue," he started and stalled. Taking a deep breath he began again, "Harry knew Leah was going to be a shape shifter, just like my father knew I was going to be a wolf."

"What…what are you talking about?" Another burst erupted against her carefully crafted shield.

"There are a selective group of elders who know the signs to watch for and Harry being on the council knew them. There's like a code of silence about not telling the person what's happening to them it's like an initiation test. All of us who were transforming into wolves were left in the dark to what was happening to our bodies but some of the elders knew."

This was news to Bella that some of the elders knew what was going on. She had known that Sam and those who had already gone through the change could see it happening to Jacob. To know what was happening and not offer guidance seemed rather cruel to her, considering that Jake had told her it had scared him when he shifted for the first time. Gently she squeezed his shoulder understanding this wasn't easy for him to discuss.

The muscles in Sue's mouth tightened and her lips pinched up as she processed what Jake was saying to her. "You're saying my Harry knew what was happening to our Leah …

"Knowing and accepting are two different things, a female wolf seems to be a rarity perhaps Harry didn't really want to believe it." Bella murmured as she looked at the two in the front seat.

Sue wanted to scream, 'no, no this isn't right,' but the words failed her. They were no longer the truth. Her husband, the man she loved, the father of her children knew what was happening and did nothing, except abandon her and their children in the end. So much pain, accusations, guilt could've have been avoided if Harry had revealed the truth to her and the children.

"Nor did most of the pack," Jacob revealed caustically.

Covering her face with her hands Sue let out a small whimper. Her daughter had never talked about any of this with her.

"Sue did you know that when we're in wolf form we're telepathically linked. All our thoughts, our dreams, and even our secrets are laid open for the whole pack to read. Paul and Jared used the link to fuck with Leah and Sam did nothing to stop it." Snorting in anger, "hell he even added to the torture with his sexual fantasies about Emily. It wasn't until I returned and confronted Sam before he did anything to stop them. Seth had tried but he was too young, too new and he just didn't have the strength to protect his sister from the abuse."

"Oh god," Bella breathed out in pain for the young woman.

It hadn't even occurred to her that Leah would have to live with the images of Sam's sexual fantasies or the other boy's mental cruelty. Seth had never shared that when he talked about the struggles his sister had gone through being in the pack.

As Jake finished, Sue felt her stomach curl tight and her mouth pool with bitter salvia, she fumbled with the seatbelt, and finally freeing herself, she jerked the car door open just in time to throw up outside of the car. If not for Jake holding her waist she would've tumbled out of the car from the powerful surges racking her body as she expelled the contents of her stomach. It was like all the built up tension from the guilt, pain and grief were trying to exit her body through her mouth.

Fighting down her own queasiness from the sounds of Sue retching, Bella gently patted the older woman's back. If she were still human, Bella was damn sure she would be joining Sue in vomiting because the sound always triggered her own vomiting reflex. She may have missed some aspects of being human but Bella sure as hell didn't miss that one at all.

Finally, after what seemed a lifetime the demand, no, the need to vomit ceased and Sue was able with the help from Jacob to situate herself back into the seat. Fresh and dried tears coated her face. Her eyes were swollen, her entire body ached and her mouth burned from the stomach acid that churned out of her.

"Take me back to Leah," Sue whispered so softly that if not for their enhanced hearing neither, Jake or Bella would have heard her.

(Location shift Cullen's front yard)

As she watched the back of Conrad's Mercedes Benz disappear down the road carrying it's three passengers Alice let out a small sigh.

Which she immediately followed up with a snicker at her rather lovesick actions, 'my Bella is gone less then a minute and I'm acting like its an eternity, lord am I whipped or what?'

Shaking her head, Alice danced towards the back yard where she spied Gabriella and Sian just standing and staring towards the tree line. Seeing the two brought forth the conversation Bella and she had during their earlier morning hunt.

(Flashback)

After sating their thirst, the two young women headed towards their favorite spot the waterfall with the small lake Gabriella had found. They both found the sound of the small waterfall soothing. Resting against a tree Bella had Alice sitting in between her legs with her arms wrapped around her pixie's waist.

"Alice, I can no longer sit around and do nothing," Bella's sweet voice broke the silence softly. "It is too much like when I was human. Everyone risking their lives for me, protecting me because I was a frail human but I'm not that human any longer. I'm a fucking vampire and I can take care of myself."

Alice understood her lover's frustration completely she had her own as well, "I agree, I can't stand how useless I feel right now. I've a gift but surrounded by shape shifters it's like I don't have one at all. I know my visions of Edward aren't much but at least I have them."

Nuzzling her nose in Alice's spiky locks she inhaled her lover's scent, "perhaps it's irrational to think so but I can't help wonder if things would have been different if Jacob had been here. He would've picked up the thoughts of the others and could've prevented it from happening."

Picking up her lover's hand she kissed it tenderly, "it is hard not to look at the what ifs when something like this occurs because I've certainly been doing it since it all happened." Turning her body so she was facing her lover, "you know this will be hard for Charlie."

"Yes, but I, no we've got to do this. To take control of our lives, we're no longer going to allow others to make choices in regards to our well being." Letting loose a growl, "it's our turn to hunt Edward and stop him from hurting others."

Seeing the sparkle of determination in Bella's golden eyes, Alice gave her a dimpled smile, "is it wrong to say, that seeing you so determined and forceful is quite alluring and it is making me want you to take me right here and now?"

"Hmmm, I kind of like it a lot," Bella replied as she captured her lover's lips with her own.

Alice hummed in delight as those soft lips landed on her own and took charge of the kiss. An aggressive Bella was as enchanting to her as a shy Bella and the best part for the smaller vampire was she could never predict which one would emerge or when in their love making.

She gasped lightly when lover ripped her shirt and bra from her torso in one quick movement. Any idea of teasing Bella about destroying her clothes flitted from her mind in seconds as her lover's hands began to caress her breasts. A low loan escaped Alice's lips as Bella's thumbs brushed back and forth across her nipples summing them to attention, which they gladly did.

"Oh God," Alice arched her back slightly offering herself up to her lover. She was damn sure that no matter how many years passed, Bella's touch would always turn her insides into liquid fires of desire.

Being a vampire had many pluses when it came to having sex in the great outdoors, there was no concern of temperature, the hard ground wasn't an issue, and if a rain shower occurred, it just added to the ambiance. There were however, some things that were just as irritating to a vampire as it would be to a human. Rocks, pinecones, broken branches and pine needles that could end up in places they were never suppose to go. Ah, but having enhanced abilities can circumvent these issues which Bella demonstrated with ease much to Alice's thrill.

In a blur of speed, Bella had lifted the both of them up from their seated position, stripped Alice of her jeans and had the tiny pixie crushed against the tree they had been leaning against. The surprise and overall vigorous nature of the action almost made Alice come right then and there. Okay the fact that Bella's lips, teeth and tongue were kissing, nipping and swirling all over Alice's most erogenous points on her neck added to almost sending her over the edge.

When Bella's right hand snaked in between, her legs and her exquisite fingers moved as if dancing to the song 'Flight of the Bumblebee' the small pixie mind melted in ecstasy. Alice knew it was going to take long and when those loving digits moved inside her heated core, she lost it. Of the two, Alice was always the more quiet during their lovemaking; perhaps she would release a breathy cry or a soft growl of pleasure when her orgasms hit but she had never screamed out, until now. As her cry of pleasure burst from her throat, Alice was sure that not only had those in the Cullen house heard her but everyone in Forks and the surrounding areas as well.

(End flashback)

Feeling the heat from the memories of their impromptu moment of lust filled love Alice had to pause in her forward movement to calm her beast down. She couldn't stop the grin, which Alice was terribly sure made her look like an idiot, from gracing her lips as she thought about how long it took for her to recover and reciprocate. It was to say at the least very un-vampiric in the length of time it took to repossess her senses and thoroughly devour Bella in return.

Inwardly shaking her head, Alice knew she had to garner her emotions and focus on the discussion she was going to have with Gabriella about Bella and her joining in the hunt for Edward.

"Gabi," Alice called out as she solidified her resolve.

Both the taller women turned to look at her and Alice was momentarily stunned by the pensive expressions they each carried, so unlike either of them.

"Yes, my petite one?" Gabriella asked softly and though she smiled Alice noted it didn't reach the older woman's eyes.

This caused the smaller vampire to pause as she gazed at her friend, "are you two alright?" She queried pushing her agenda to the side for the moment.

There was a silent exchange of looks between the two older women before Gabriella let out a small sigh, "for the most part yes. Its just there might be an unexpected wrinkle that Sian and I might need to iron out."

"To say the least, my love," Sian muttered as she rested her chin on Gabriella's shoulder and wrapped her strong arms around her waist.

"But that is something we'll deal with later since we can't be sure. Now, what is on your mind my dear?"

"After our hunt Bella and I had a discussion," ignoring the smirk from Sian and the raised eyebrow from Gabriella she pushed on. "Prior to that," she added with her own smirk, unlike Bella she wasn't bashful about others knowing about their sexcapades. "We want to help with hunting down Edward. Neither one of us are fragile little shells that need to be protected by our loved ones."

"I agree."

Hearing the older woman's quick response, caught Alice by surprise as she opened her mouth to argue only to snap it shut and stare at taller woman.

"Didn't see that coming," Gabriella chuckled lightly.

"I can't see a damn thing coming these days," she muttered out.

"And it's frustrating the hell out of you, my dear petite one."

"Yes, I feeling useless Gabi and I can't stand it and neither can Bella." Glancing at her friend, "what changed your mind? You were adamant we wouldn't be a part of the hunt."

Raising her eyes from the smaller vampire Gabriella looked out towards the tree line, "there are a few reasons for the change in my view. One is your both right, you need to take control of your welfare and if you both feel hunting Edward will provide this then so be it. Also," drifting her gaze back to Alice. "I smelled your guilt and frustration about what happened yesterday, which you had no control over, but you've taken it upon your shoulders."

Alice nodded in agreement, "Dani is like my little sister and in extension Seth and Leah are a part of our family and all I could do was sit around, even though I had an itch something wasn't right." Closing her eyes for a brief moment, "I know coming with you will not change that I can't protect Dani, but I might be able to help others from Edward and this ancient vampire."

"I understand," reaching out Gabriella gently cupped Alice's face with her left hand and stroked it gently before releasing it. "But you both understand there will be objections for you two coming with me and Sian."

"Yeah, Charlie…wait what about Jacob?"

"He'll be staying behind. With what has happened, Conrad thinks it is best for young Jacob to remain here. The pack is splintering and sometimes one's destiny can't be changed. He was born an alpha and Conrad wants to train him for what will come."

Alice knew Jacob wasn't aware of this turn of events because before getting into the car he had been going back and forth about whether he should go with the two women or stay behind and do what he could to help Leah and Seth.

"I think his mind is running the same direction," her soft bell voice revealed to the two women. "But I'm not sure it was running towards being the pack leader."

"That is something for him and Conrad to talk about," with a small smile. "Now back to Bella and you coming with us, Charlie will not be the only one objecting, the Cullens will certainly voice their opposition." Tilting her head, "as far as your other family they'll worry but they know me, unlike the Cullens."

Alice nodded, "we'll talk with them. I know they'll be upset but it's what we feel is right."

"Look love, just tell them between Gabi and I we've three hundred years of dealing with various wankers and know how to keep safe." Sian said with a bright smile.

"As long as they're not Prussians," Gabriella snorted earning a slight shove from the taller woman.

"Hey now lassie we took care of them just fine even with the lad and I having a snoot full," growling lightly at the woman.

Turning her head Gabriella gave Sian a kiss on her cheek, "yes, yes, you and Jacob were fucking beautiful to watch as you beat down the bears."

Sian just nodded her head in agreement and gave a wink to Alice who let loose a giggle.

"I waiting for some information from an associate which I hope to have in a couple of days so you and Bella will need to explain your desires to go soon," Gabriella remarked after the giggling died down.

All merriment drifted from Alice's golden eyes as she thought about how hard it would for her Bella when they told Charlie their decision and how he would react, but first she knew they would tell the Cullens.

(Time Shift-Cullen house late evening)

The Cullen's living room was silent except for the sound of Leah and Sian breathing softly, it was the quiet lull after a storm of words and emotions. The reactions from the Cullens to Bella and Alice's announcement had been a mixture of anxiety, anguish and anger. In all, everyone, except Jasper had come to reluctantly accept their decision as their choice, while he had fled the room followed by the rest of the Cullens to go and calm him down. It had been an emotionally and mentally draining few hours and even the three vampires in left in the room were feeling the effects.

Leah had already been worn out from her surprised slow heart mending talk with her mother, after Sue had returned with Bella and Jake.

(Flashback)

It would be accurate to say Leah had been flabbergasted by her mom's sudden return as she nearly choked on the bit of fluffy pancake she had just shoved in her mouth. Recovering rapidly, Leah's face turned to stone as she eyed her mother who took a seat next to her daughter. Everyone else who had been in the kitchen had scattered like a flock of birds, flying in various directions, leaving the two privacy they needed but the two women were unsure how to deal with it. Ignoring her mother, Leah went back to eating though the food didn't seem to taste as good as before.

Neither one spoke, Leah was waiting on her mother and Sue was waiting on her nerves, it was a long agonizing wait for both of them.

"I'm sorry," Sue finally blurted out. Her eyes had been dancing all over the place but finally connected with Leah's dark ones as she spoke.

"Kay,"

"For everything."

"Kay."

"I love you."

Leah blinked at the words. She hadn't heard those three little words from her mother since before her father died. "Really?" She didn't bother to keep the bitterness from her tone.

To her credit Sue had expected her daughter's reply and didn't flinch at all, "yes."

"Kay," Leah answered as she leaned back in her chair closing her eyes she let out a small sigh. "We should talk."

"Yes," Sue sighed with relief and sagged in her chair.

(End Flashback)

The calm now in the room was luring Leah into sleep that had been dragging at her since her mother had left with Seth, to go back to La Push. Dani and Sara had accompanied them as Conrad along with Jake had agreed to run patrols while the rest of the boys here still, being detained.

As Leah's eyes slid shut she felt cold fingers cradle her chin forcing her eyes open she saw two lovely golden orbs gazing with care towards and felt her heart lift. The older vampire was crouched down in front of her.

"You need to go to bed," Gabriella said soothingly and she stroked Leah's cheek with her thumb.

"I'm coming with you four," determination filled her voice as she spoke before a yawn took over.

"That, my dear, was made abundantly clear when you tried to attack Jasper," the older vampire replied with a gentle sad smile.

"I'm sorry," she said softly casting her eyes down.

"Shhh, don't you dare apologize for your nature," the rich voice cooed out quietly.

Alice and Bella exchanged looks as they watched the tender interaction. While they had been slightly shocked by Jasper's violent reaction to Gabriella's gentle refusal at his demand to come with them, they were completely flummoxed by Leah's.

The curly vampire had jumped from his chair, blurred to Gabriella who had been leaning against a wall and began verbally assaulting her. Sian who had been lounging on the sofa next to the smaller vampires had sprung from her position and landed next to the two. Leah who had been sleeping in one of the guest rooms came rushing down the stairs when she heard the disturbance and would of charged Jasper if it hadn't of been for Gabriella's quick reflexes.

"You cannae help that part of you darling," Sian who was sitting next to young woman added as she ran her long fingers soothingly over Leah's arm.

Leah nodded as she felt tingles run up her arm from Sian's touch, "this is really warped you know." She said her eyes drifting back and forth between the two women, sighing, "I bet neither one of you feel the draw do you?"

Sian blushed slightly, "actually I cannae say that but it's not like what other imprintee's would feel due to the type of werecat I am. My feelings for you have been growing throughout the day."

Alice and Bella looked like matching bookends as they both had widened their eyes and their mouths had flopped open as they stared at the three.

"Well," Alice started having recovered first. "That certainly explains why you wanted to rip Jasper's head off."

"Er, two?" Bella asked quirking an eyebrow.

"Apparently, being the only wolf bitch wasn't enough for me to be different," Leah remarked dryly.

All eyes landed on Gabriella who though still crouched in front of Leah had removed her hand from the young woman's chin. Alice had never seen the older woman look so sad it broke her frozen heart.

"No, I'm sorry my dears," the older woman whispered the regret could be heard in her voice. "It's one of my failings," her gentle eyes moved between the two women. A sigh left her lips, "I'm going to see if Jasper has cooled down enough to hear why I don't want him coming with us."

Gabriella rocked back on her heels, stood up rapidly and blurred out of the living room before anyone could say anything further on the subject. Leaving a slightly startled group in her wake. The four just continued to sit there, cuddled into each other, not moving, but they were all contemplating nearly the same thing.

'What a fucking day.'

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In answer to Boo's review of Chapter 20 "Hm. How many characters can you have? Who are the main characters again? I forget."

To you first question, as many as I, the writer, feel need to be included in the telling of this story. For me including the other characters and their lives makes the story fuller and yes at times this will mean pushing Alice and Bella to the side in a chapter or two. Bella and Alice are not only the main character but also the catalysts for the events happening around them and as the author to this story I want to demonstrate that ripple effect which happens in life.

As to your second and rather sarcastic question, I shall answer in kind. Having read thousands of books of varying lengths and in most genres, I've never had much trouble remembering who the main characters are even if they're omitted from several chapters and not part of the action.